Ep 1. Episode 1

Mary Berry's Country House Secrets follows beloved British baker and TV host Mary Berry as she visits some of the UK's most beautiful and historic estates, getting an inside look at life as a country house owner. In Episode 1, Mary visits Highclere Castle, better known to fans of Downton Abbey as the Crawley family's home.

Mary begins her visit by meeting the current owner of Highclere, the eighth Earl of Carnarvon. He shows her around the stunning property, including the famous library and the bedrooms where King Tutankhamun's tomb discoverer Lord Carnarvon and his wife Lady Carnarvon slept. Mary is impressed by the attention to detail in the decor and learns about the challenges of maintaining such a large and historic estate.

Next, Mary meets the head gardener of Highclere, who takes her on a tour of the extensive gardens. They discuss the history of the gardens, which were designed by famous landscape architect Capability Brown, and how the current team works to preserve that history while also making the gardens accessible and enjoyable for modern visitors.

Mary then heads to the kitchen to help prepare a meal for the current Countess of Carnarvon's guests. She works alongside the chef to make a delicious chicken with mushroom cream sauce, which they serve with roasted vegetables grown on the Highclere estate. Mary is impressed by the quality of the ingredients and the skill of the chef, and she enjoys getting a taste of life behind the scenes at Highclere.

Throughout the episode, Mary interweaves historical background about Highclere and the Carnarvon family with her own impressions of the property and the people who maintain it. She is clearly fascinated by the history and beauty of Highclere, and her enthusiasm is infectious.

Overall, Episode 1 of Mary Berry's Country House Secrets is a charming and informative introduction to the series. Fans of Downton Abbey will, of course, be especially interested in seeing behind the scenes at Highclere Castle, but the episode is enjoyable even for those without a particular interest in history or stately homes. Mary's warm and engaging personality makes her a perfect host for this type of show, and her love for the subject matter is apparent throughout.